“ALS is a devastating disease that doesn’t discriminate,” said MDA President & CEO Lynn O’Connor Vos.
“Anytime anyone is diagnosed with ALS, MDA is here, supporting
patients, families, and caregivers – and has been for nearly 70 years.
This is an unprecedented time of discovery in neuromuscular disease and
ALS, and whether we’re providing world-class care or investing in
innovative research and technology, MDA has led the way with decades of
progress. Anytime anyone donates, we’re one step closer to the next
breakthrough. Throughout this campaign we are donating to research,
collaborating with partners and convening patients to share their
stories. Together, let’s end ALS.”

New ALS Grants Demonstrate MDA’s Continued Leadership in Search for a CureMDA recently announced eight new grants totaling more than $2 million
toward research and development focused on ALS. Highlights of this
round of funding include a grant for the evaluation of whether gene
editing can be a potential treatment for ALS caused by mutations in the
superoxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1) and a grant to help support
the NEALS Consortium’s biorepository, which contains tissues and fluids
that are widely used by the community — including MDA-funded researchers
— to advance ALS research.

Do You Know ALS? In
its role as a convener, MDA is also bringing together patients,
doctors, researchers, and caregivers with other leaders to drive social
conversation. The “Do You Know ALS?” series of stories will be featured on MDA’s Strongly blog throughout May. The campaign will kick off with Ed Tessaro,
who has actively worked to raise awareness about the need to raise
funds and find a cure. He is serving as MDA’s spokesperson for this
year’s campaign.

Engaging Community & Raising Funds Through Benefit Events & Partnership with Dutch Bros. Coffee In addition to increasing consumer awareness, MDA is hosting seven fundraising galas to support the organization’s groundbreaking ALS research. One of the signature events is New York City’s 19th Annual MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street Gala Event on May 22. Other signature events were hosted in Greensboro, NC; Chicago, IL; and Oklahoma City, OK with more events coming up this fall in Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Appleton, WI. Attending one of these events or donating online funds research and care for people living with ALS.

Another prominent fundraising event is Dutch Bros. Coffee’s 13th annual Drink One for Dane Day. The country’s largest privately held coffee company takes one day to raise funds to celebrate the life of co-founder Dane Boersma, who died of ALS in 2009. On May 10,
the company will donate proceeds from all sales at its 330+ locations
in seven states to MDA. Dutch Bros. Coffee and the Boersma family
started the Drink One for Dane campaign to help fund MDA’s ALS research
and Care Centers. In 2018, the company raised a record-breaking $1.3 million
in a single day. Dutch Bros. Coffee has a goal to make 2019 the best
year yet, breaking last year’s record. Consumers can find a Dutch Bros.
location near them by visiting dutchbros.com/locations.

MDA is also bringing ALS patients together on May 18 in Boston, MA for a symposium chaired by Dr. James Berry. To learn more and register to attend, click here. MDA Engage educational
events are one-day events empowering individuals and families with
knowledge and resources. Experts in the field of neuromuscular disease
share information on topics such as best practices in clinical care,
research and clinical trials, genetic information, and more. All MDA
Engage events include dedicated social time to give families the
opportunity to connect. Portions of the ALS Symposium will be recorded
and posted on mda.org after the live event.

MDA’s Team Momentum will run to #EndALSwithMDA in the Byline Bank Chicago Spring Half Marathon\10K produced by Life Time on May 19 in Chicago, IL. Sign up here.

Our Thoughts

We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas from Ethical Marketing News. It’s been another great year, and whilst we will not be publishing as much over the next week we will have some stories be back to normal from the 3rd of January. Hope Santa is...